2027: Dafinone Is A Big Name In Urhoboland, Omo-Agege Not A Threat — Oborevwori

Ahead of the 2027 general election, Delta State governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, has dismissed suggestions that former Deputy Senate President, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, posed a political threat in Delta State, insisting that incumbent Delta Central Senator, Ede Dafinone, remains a formidable political figure with deep roots in the Urhobo nation.

Speaking on the recent resignation of Omo-Agege from the All Progressives Congress (APC) in an interview on ARISE News on Tuesday morning, Oborevwori said the development did not come as a surprise, noting that signs of the former Deputy Senate President’s planned exit from APC had been evident for months.

“I will not use the word pretentious, but we saw it coming. Before he left, most of his people had already left over three months ago, so we were all aware,” the governor said.

According to Oborevwori, Omo-Agege’s lack of engagement with party stakeholders before contesting the APC Delta Central Senatorial primary was a clear indication that he was not fully committed to the process.

“That was why he was not serious in the contest of the primaries because he never consulted anybody. He never consulted me. He never consulted the leaders. APC is a big party,” he stated.

Drawing a contrast with his own political approach, the governor explained that he sought the support and endorsement of party leaders before pursuing a second term in office.

“As a governor, I met with people and told them, ‘Look, I want to go back for my second tenure.’ That is why nobody even indicated interest in contesting with me. We believe in the zoning arrangement in Delta State, and it is the turn of Delta Central,” he said.

On the possibility of Omo-Agege’s political moves affecting the fortunes of the APC in Delta Central, Oborevwori was emphatic that the former Deputy Senate President did not constitute a threat. “He is not a threat because I have won it before,” he declared.

The governor also spoke glowingly of Senator Dafinone, who emerged as the APC candidate for Delta Central Senatorial District, describing him as a respected figure whose family name commands influence across Urhoboland.

“The man who got the ticket in my party, Senator Ede Dafinone, is a gentleman. They have a reputation. Dafinone is a big name. Dafinone is a big name in the Urhobo nation because his father was a Senator and he has contributed to the development of Delta State. So that legacy is there,” Oborevwori said.

He maintained that the APC primary election that produced Dafinone was free, fair and transparent, arguing that Omo-Agege should accept the outcome.

“Somebody was given the opportunity, we conducted a free and fair primary and he lost. It is for him to embrace the outcome because the process was transparent. Very transparent. I am a democrat, so it was transparent,” he added.

The governor further questioned Omo-Agege’s political loyalty, alleging that the former Deputy Senate President had a history of falling out with political benefactors and allies.

“This same man came into politics in 2002 with nothing. This state made him. The people who made him, he fought them. James Ibori made him, and he left. He betrayed Ogboru; he left. He fought others who helped him politically,” Oborevwori alleged.

Despite the political developments, the governor expressed confidence in his administration’s performance, insisting that governance and delivery of democratic dividends remain the strongest campaign tools. “For me, I don’t think he is a threat because we are doing well as a state. What will make people support your party is what you are doing and what you are able to do. In terms of infrastructure, we are doing well. In terms of security, we are doing our best. You must have something to campaign with,” he said.

Oborevwori’s comments come amid heightened political activity in Delta State following Omo-Agege’s departure from the APC and growing speculation over the shape of political alignments ahead of the 2027 elections.